Africa

Although Africa’s great rivers are considered "under-dammed" by global standards, the continent’s large dams have consistently been built at the expense of rural communities. Africa’s dams have done considerable social, environmental and economic damage, often with complete disregard for the human rights of dam-affected communities, and have left a trail of "development-induced poverty" in their wake. Sadly, these projects have not led to progress in electrifying the huge proportion of Africans now without electricity.

In addition, climate change is expected to increase extremes of drought and flooding, with the result that Africa’s already highly variable climate and hydrology will be even more difficult to predict, making hydropower even more risky and water resources even more precious. Despite the failure of large dams to meet Africa's most pressing needs, many more dams are on the drawing boards, including the world's largest – the Grand Inga scheme, proposed for the Congo River.

Across Africa, grassroots activists are showing how dam projects overlook the social, economic and environmental costs of these projects, and pressing for better alternatives. With our partners, International Rivers strives to promote sound energy and water developments based on social justice, equitable sharing of benefits and costs, and environmental sustainability; and river-development planning processes that ensure participation by local communities in decisions that affect their lives. Please explore these pages for more information about the work going to protect Africa's rivers and those who depend upon them.

LATEST ADDITIONS:

Harvesting Sweet Energy from Africa's Sugar Industry

Eskom Eyes the Zambezi

Uganda Dam Slammed by World Bank Appeals Body

Summary of Inspection Panel Report on Bujagali Dam, 2008

Electric Capitalism: Recolonising Africa on the Power Grid

More information:

Defending the Zambezi: Africa's River of Life

Big Dams: Bringing Poverty, Not Power to Africa

World Rivers Review, Vol. 21, No. 4 - August 2006: Focus on Africa

China’s Role in Financing African Infrastructure

Map of Proposed African Dams (PDF)